KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) today said it has given its blessings for national sprinters Khairul Hafiz Jantan and Muhammad Haiqal Hanafi to train with former coach Mohd Poad Md Kassim once again, but was also quick to remind athletes that the decision was an exception to the norm.

MAF President Datuk S.M. Muthu said the decision was reached at meeting between the MAF, the National Sports Council (NSC), the National Sports Institute (ISN), Mohd Poad and MAF technical director Dwayne Miller last Thursday.

Last year, the MAF decided that Khairul Hafiz and Muhammad Haiqal would be centrally housed with the other elite national sprinters at the NSC in Bukit Jalil to undergo training under Miller.

Muthu said the initial plan, which was also agreed by Mohd Poad, was for the two sprinters to remain under Miller's guidance until the Malaysian Open Athletics Championships from June 11-13.

However, both Khairul Hafiz, 22, and Muhammad Haiqal, 21, were determined to return under Mohd Poad's tutelage in Johor as soon as possible in the effort to secure their slots to the Tokyo Olympics in July and the Vietnam SEA Games in November, which MAF finally agreed to.

"However, they both need to return to NSC for the relay events training according to the schedule given," he told a media conference at Wisma OCM here today.

It was reported last week that Khairul Hafiz and Muhammad Haiqal had each voiced their intention to return under Mohd Poad's guidance, citing compatibility as well as it being the best move for long-term improvement for their performances.

Meanwhile, MAF Deputy President Datuk Mumtaz Jaafar said despite permission given to both sprinters, it does not mean the MAF will agree to similar requests from every athlete.

She said the decision to release the duo was also to ensure that both of them succeeded in achieving their mission to qualify for the 2021 SEA Games, thus brightening Malaysia's chances of defending the 100m sprint gold medal won in the previous two editions.

"Their hearts are no longer here but we know why they want to go there (Johor), because they said if they do not go before the Malaysian Open it will affect their preparations for the SEA Games," she added.

Mumtaz stressed that the development aspect of an athlete's performance has always been a priority for the MAF in making a decision.

"So, the MAF will not allow athletes to change coaches without a good reason but that doesn't mean we will not also look at their situation first," Mumtaz, who is also MAF coaching committee chairman, said.

Khairul Hafiz, the current national 100m record holder, won the 100m gold at the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur while Muhammad Haiqal won the blue ribbon event at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines.

--BERNAMA